Next Brighton manager: Kieran McKenna clears the way for ex-Chelsea and Norwich men

Get all the information about Brighton’s pursuit of Roberto De Zerbi’s replacement.

Kieran McKenna, the manager of Ipswich and a target for Brighton, is anticipated to agree to a new deal and guide the team into their inaugural Premier League campaign.

McKenna had also been connected to Chelsea and Manchester United, and it was thought that he was one of the candidates to succeed Roberto De Zerbi at Brighton.

However, discussions over a new agreement at Portman Road are advanced; the remaining specifics are just to be finalized.

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has been closely associated with Brighton, Manchester United, and Chelsea.

McKenna was recently voted the League Managers Association’s manager of the year after guiding Ipswich to promotion, ending a 22-year absence from the English top flight. It was a second consecutive promotion for the 38-year-old, who took charge of Town in December 2021.

It is understood McKenna was on a shortlist for the Brighton job alongside former Albion and Chelsea head coach Graham Potter, while Southampton’s Brighton born boss Russell Martin remains a contender.
Potter is now in pole position to take over at the Amex Stadium, according to the latest odds from the bookmakers. But Ipswich fans are set to be handed a major boost with their manager reiterating his commitment to the club. McKenna signed a four-year deal last summer which runs until 2027.

Brighton’s former boss De Zerbi continues to be linked with Chelsea, although the Blues are said to be in advanced talks with Leicester City for their manager Enzo Maresca, who led the Foxes to the Championship title.